Congress clarifies: Sonia Gandhi retiring as party president, not from politics

Rahul Gandhi was on December 11 elected the president of the Congress, taking over from his mother Sonia Gandhi who had headed the country's oldest party for 19 long years.

Sonia Gandhi&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspPTI

New Delhi: After reports suggested that Sonia Gandhi has announced retirement from politics, the Congress on Friday rushed to clarify that the lady was retiring from the post of party president, not from politics.

Taking to Twitter, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said: "Sonia Gandhi has retired as President of Indian National Congress and not from politics. Her blessings, wisdom and innate commitment to Congress ideology shall always be our guiding light."

Would sincerely request friends in the media to not rely upon innuendos.

Smt. Sonia Gandhi has retired as President of Indian National Congress and not from politics. Her blessings, wisdom and innate commitment to Congress ideology shall always be our guiding light.

"My role now is to retire," Sonia Gandhi had told media in response to a question as to whether she will continue as chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party and what would be her role.

Sonia Gandhi also added that her son Rahul Gandhi has been playing an active role in the last three years.

Rahul Gandhi was on December 11 elected the President of the Congress, taking over from his mother Sonia Gandhi who had headed the country's oldest party for 19 long years.

47-year-old Rahul Gandhi will formally take over the reins of the grand old party on December 16, two days before the counting of votes for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections, the outcome of which could be a trendsetter ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Marking a generational shift, Rahul Gandhi will be the sixth Nehru-Gandhi scion to helm the party, taking over from his mother Sonia Gandhi who steered it through an era during which it was in power from 2004 to 2014.

Congress clarifies: Sonia Gandhi retiring as party president, not from politicsDescription:Rahul Gandhi was on December 11 elected the president of the Congress, taking over from his mother Sonia Gandhi who had headed the country's oldest party for 19 long years.Times Now